The NBA season is in full swing, and that means loaded DFS slates for the weekends. It’s time for weekly Sunday picks. I’ll give you a stud play, a value play, and a player to fade for each position so you can piece together your ideal lineup.
For Sunday, Dec. 7th, we will be using the NBA $100K Fadeaway [$25K to 1st] DFS pool. Now, let’s dig into the picks!
Point Guard
Stud: Tyrese Maxey (PHI), $10,500
It’s Tyrese Maxey’s world, and we’re just living in it. He’s been one of the most prolific offensive forces in the league this season, and will test his mettle against the highest-priced PG on the board: Luka Donฤiฤ. But between those two studs, I favor Maxey; he’s producing unbelievable scoring lines, and Donฤiฤ’s personal absence casts a shadow over his potential production. Give me Tyrese all day as a lineup anchor.
Value: Ajay Mitchell (OKC), $5,000
A rare thing is happening on Sunday: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is out. Someone else will have to step up and do the playmaking for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Enter Ajay Mitchell, who is having a breakout campaign. He should comfortably step into the lead guard role alongside Jalen Williams and is in for a field day against a feeble Utah Jazz defense. Even if you’re springing for Maxey, Mitchell is well worth the addition to your guard spot. Without Maxey, Mitchell is a must-have in the lineup.
Fade: Josh Giddey (CHI), $9,800
Josh Giddey’s emergence as a DFS stud this season has been undeniable. But there’s no ignoring how tough a matchup these Warriors are right now. Even with their stars injured, they are a potent defensive squad. They held the Sixers to under 100 points earlier in the week before putting the clamps on the Cavaliers last night. With the Bulls tumbling, this is a bad time to trust Giddey as a lineup anchor.
Shooting Guard
Stud: Austin Reaves (LAL), $10,000
The Austin Reaves breakout is hard to put into words. He’s putting up All-Star numbers no matter who’s in the lineup with him. Over his past six, Reaves is putting up 33 PPG on 62/51/90 shooting splits, along with 5.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. He’s far and away the highest-priced shooting guard on the board, but is well worth the price of admission.
Value: De’Anthony Melton (GSW), $3,000
If you want deep value, look no further than Melton. At the lowest price you can find on the board, it’s hard to get more valuable than this. Melton sat the front end of a back-to-back on Saturday, but will be good to go for Sunday. Without Stephen Curry in the lineup, Melton is getting a good bit of offensive usage, in addition to his rebounds, steals, and blocks value. He’s a great pick if you want to invest elsewhere.
Fade: Coby White (CHI), $7,300
Another Chicago fade here in the backcourt. Coby White will have the joy of facing Gary Payton II, De’Anthony Melton, and Moses Moody โ all elite guard defenders. Even with Josh Giddey getting the majority of the attention, White won’t be able to escape this parade of perimeter pests. There are areas where the Bulls have value โ it’s just not in the backcourt.
Small Forward
Stud: Jalen Williams (OKC), $7,800
The Thunder DFS value is spread all over the map with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out. A lot of the scoring burden now falls on Jalen Williams. He’s still ramping up after his month-long injury absence, but this is the kind of get-right spot he needs. In addition to the raised defensive value against Utah, he should also cook the Jazz on the other end.
Value: Peyton Watson (DEN), $5,700
Peyton Watson has stepped up in a big way as the Nuggets fight through injuries to multiple starters. He’s a great fit with Nikola Jokic as a cutter, lob threat, and transition flier. He also brings some shot-blocking and rebounding to the table, more than usual for a wing. He’s a great discount piece to fill in utility spots or as a starter if you’re investing in some studs.
Fade: Jonathan Kuminga (GSW), $6,300
Stephen Curry is out. Jimmy Butler is sidelined as well. That would mean Jonathan Kuminga is stepping up, right? Wrong. Kuminga had all the opportunity in the world on Saturday night and fell flat once again. He contributed little offensively and sat on the bench down the stretch while other young players closed out the game against the Cavs. The Bulls are no imposing matchup, but if Steve Kerr can’t trust Kuminga, then neither can you.
Power Forward
Stud: Chet Holmgren (OKC), $7,700
Another great matchup for Chet Holmgren. SGA’s absence doesn’t necessarily help his offensive game, but it could send an extra touch or two his way. More important is this Jazz offense that struggles to create good shots at the rim. It could be a block party for Chet against the Jazz, and he will knock down some shots and grab some boards to boot.
Value: Dominick Barlow (PHI), $5,100
Dominick Barlow has been a revelation for the Sixers this season. A bargain-bin pickup, his rim protection and rebounding have been valuable assets all season long. On top of that, he provides some finishing talent around the rim and a splash of three-point shooting. Facing a Lakers team that lacks size down low, this is a great time for Barlow to bring some value.
Fade: LeBron James (LAL), $9,000
It’s tough stuff watching LeBron James right now. Now 41 and dealing with sciatica, he’s struggling to find consistency and get involved on the glass. The assists are still there, but it’s going to be some time before we see the LeBron James we are used to. There’s just too much rust to shake off at the moment to trust him as the highest-priced power forward on the board.
Center
Stud: Nikola Vuฤeviฤ (CHI), $7,500
The Warriors have been thriving against opposing guards recently. But big men are another issue entirely. With Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler fighting through injuries, their small-ball defensive formula has been compromised. Vuฤeviฤ’s ability to win on the glass, score in the low post, and space the floor is everything the Warriors struggle with. I’m counting on a strong night here.
Value: Quinten Post (GSW), $4,400
If you need value at center, Quinten Post is your man. He’s getting heavy minutes for the Warriors with their injuries, and has delivered. Post led the Warriors in field goal attempts on Saturday night, and they’ve relied on his floor spacing for offense with their stars injured. Against a Bulls team that is forgetting how to play defense in real time, he could be in for a big scoring night. On top of that, he provides consistent rebounding and a blocked shot or two.
Fade: Joel Embiid (PHI), $7,400
I have such a difficult time trusting Joel Embiid game-to-game. The defensive playmaking is all over the place, the rebounding comes and goes, and he’s prone to some off-shooting nights. Maybe you get lucky and get the good Embiid night on Sunday; perhaps you spin the wrong Joel. I don’t want to stake my lineup on his inconsistency.
